Leading with Diversity
01, 11.1.2012
Our school has been named after the Indus River that flowed past my house in Leh, the capital town of Ladakh. As you all know, the name India is derived from the Indus River. This great river, the cradle of early civilization, symbolises diversity and internationalism as we understand what it means today.
Originating in the Himalayas in Tibet, the river flows through Ladakh into Pakistan and merges with the Arabian Sea after a journey of 3180 kilometres. The River is home to the Indus Valley Civilization, the birth place of the world's four great religions - Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism; and the confluence of Taoism, Confucianism, and Islam. Each of these religions has taught us unity, unity through diversity.
Our children demonstrate through varied activities the gains of of whole-education and what it is to be internationally-minded. In essence, the two are part of one idea - the idea of diversity, the courage of being able to acknowledge and welcome the power of being different. The more similar we are the less international minded we will be.
Internationalism is about diversity and not homogeneity; and about differences in perspectives, and not similarity. Internationalism is not restricted to cultural and religious difference; rather, it is more about different mind sets and different world views. Diversity is about building teams that are heterogeneous and not homogenous, team members who are a collection of individuals with different backgrounds - thinkers, doers, organisers and networkers.
The plays, music, and dances which our students perform from time to time, have great significance for diversity leadership, that has been necessitated because of globalization. With hierarchies crumbling and the world become flatter by the day, diversity is a reality. As 21st century leaders, we are practitioners of diversity leadership. Diversity in thought is driving innovation and greater business growth.
Diversity is not merely living with different cultures. Diversity is more about living harmoniously and working with four distinctive generations.
Diversity is acknowledging that women now form our future work force. It may surprise many to know that women make up 75 percent of the consumer base and 50 percent of the talent pool. They control $12 trillion of the total $18 trillion in consumer spending. Their distinct gender traits like empathy, networking, and the power of relationships are key competencies for 21st century leaders.
Indus day is an affirmation to our commitment to whole-education and inclusivity, but not at the cost of academic excellence. It is also an endorsement of our belief in the essentials of being human - purpose, meaning to life, relationships, reason combined with faith, empathy, and the ability to exercise choice.
(This is the essence of the message brought to newly elected Leaders of The Indus Student Council at Bangalore, by Lt. Gen. Arjun Ray (Retd.), CEO of the Indus Trust on the occasion of The Ceremony of Investiture on January 26th, 2012)
Post a Comment
Date: 11/23/2024